Giz Watson, former MLC for The Greens has been awarded an honourary doctorate for her contribution to civil and human rights in Western Australia.

The award from Murdoch University was presented last month by Dr Janice Dudley who highlighted Watson’s extensive contribution.

“It is clear that Giz’s activism in the causes of gay and lesbian rights, social justice, indigenous rights, and peace and environmentalism, together with her parliamentary service have made a major contribution to civil and human rights in Western Australia.” Dr Dudley said.

In accepting the honour Watson said she was pleased to accept the award for her work as a parliamentarian and as an activist, alongside being a member of the LGBTIQ community.

“I am also pleased to accept this honour as a representative of the gay, lesbian, bisexual, trans and intersex community – and as the first openly lesbian member of an Australian Parliament. I pay tribute to other GLBTI community members who have fought and continue to fight for our equality.” Watson said.

Watson was the convener of The Greens in Western Australia and was elected to state parliament in 1996. She represented the North Metropolitan region in the upper house. She was subsequently re-elected in 2001, 2005 and 2008. At the 2013 election Watson re-located to the South West region and was not elected.

Watson was the first openly lesbian member of parliament in Australia and was instrumental in improving the legal rights of LGBTIQ people in Western Australia.

OIP Staff